Washington Post reporters probe their own bosses amid newsroom uproar
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Headlines from the June 17 editions of the Washington Post (top) and New York Times.
A 3,000-word Washington Post investigative story about new publisher and CEO William Lewis plus an incoming top editor had this surprising sentence: Lewis "declined to comment through a Post spokesperson in response to a list of detailed questions" — from his own reporters.
Why it matters: The storied Post newsroom is in an uproar over Lewis' handling of several internal controversies over the past two weeks.
The fracas includes increased scrutiny over Lewis' role in a phone hacking scandal that rocked Britain's Fleet Street in the 2000s.
- Lewis has denied any wrongdoing.
The big picture: The front pages of Monday's Post and New York Times feature articles delving into Lewis' U.K. past.
- The Post's story, with four bylines, was added to the front page between editions late at night. It explores journalistic ethics questions about Robert Winnett, a London editor who has been named to become the Post's top editor after November's election. Lewis, who worked with Winnett at two British papers, has called him a "brilliant investigative journalist."
- The Times story asserts that in London two decades ago, Lewis "used fraudulently obtained phone and company records in newspaper articles."
The latest: The Post said Monday that due to "perceived and potential conflicts," former senior managing editor Cameron Barr — who stepped down last year, and has been on contract as a senior associate editor — will oversee the paper's coverage of Lewis-related controversies.
- "We cover The Washington Post independently, rigorously and fairly," a Post spokesperson said in a statement to Axios, adding that as publisher, Lewis "has no involvement in or influence on our reporting."
What they're saying: When Axios asked about the Post and Times stories, a Post spokesperson said both times that Lewis declined to comment.
- During a series of "Say It" employee listening sessions Lewis held last week, he "said that his role as publisher is to create the environment for great journalism and to encourage and support it, that he will never interfere in the journalism, and that he is very clear about the lines that should not be crossed," a Post source told us, requesting anonymity.
Go deeper: Read the Post story ... Read the Times story (both gift links).
Editor's note: This story was updated with new developments.
